List of U.S. state foods facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Did you know that just like states have official birds or flowers, many also have official foods? These special foods are chosen because they are important to the state's history, farming, or simply because they are super popular there! It's a fun way to celebrate what makes each state unique.

State Foods Across America

Many states in the United States have chosen official foods, drinks, or even meals! These choices often show what grows well in the state, what local people love to eat, or what has been important to the state's economy for a long time.

Why Do States Choose Official Foods?

States pick official foods for many reasons. Sometimes, it's to celebrate a crop that farmers in that state grow a lot, like peaches in Georgia or potatoes in Idaho. Other times, it's to honor a food that is a big part of the state's culture or history, like chili in Texas or pizza in Connecticut. It's a way to show state pride and teach people about local traditions.

A Taste of Different States

Alabama's Sweet Treats and Staples

Alabama loves its food! The state has chosen several delicious items.

State cookie: The Yellowhammer cookie was named the official state cookie in 2023.
State nut: The Pecan became the state nut in 1982. Pecans are tasty nuts often used in pies and desserts.

Pecans growing on a tree.
State fruit: The Blackberry was chosen in 2004. These sweet berries are great for snacks or pies.

Fresh blackberries.
State dessert: The Lane cake became the state dessert in 2016. It's a rich, layered cake with a special frosting.

A slice of Lane cake.
State vegetable: The Sweet potato was picked in 2021. Sweet potatoes are healthy and versatile.

Sweet potatoes.
State legume: The Peanut joined the list in 2022. Peanuts are a big crop in Alabama.

Peanuts in different forms.

Arkansas's Farm Favorites

Arkansas has a few official foods that show off its farming heritage.

State fruit: The South Arkansas vine ripe pink tomato was chosen in 1987.

A bright red tomato.
State grain: Rice became the state grain in 2007. Arkansas is a major rice-producing state.

Rice plants in a field.
State nut: The Pecan was also chosen by Arkansas in 2009, just like Alabama.

Pecans in their shells.

Connecticut's Famous Food

Connecticut has a very popular state food.

State food: Pizza was named the state food in 2021. New Haven, Connecticut, is famous for its unique style of pizza.

A delicious Connecticut pizza.

Delaware's Desserts and Fruits

Delaware has some sweet official foods.

State dessert: Peach pie became the state dessert in 2009.

A freshly baked peach pie.
State fruit: The Strawberry was chosen in 2010.

Bright red strawberries.

Florida's Tropical Tastes

Florida, known for its warm weather, has some sunny state foods.

State fruit: The Orange was named the state fruit in 2005. Florida grows a lot of oranges.

Oranges on a tree.
State pie: Key lime pie became the state pie in 2006. This tart and creamy pie is a Florida classic.

A slice of Key lime pie.

Georgia's Peachy Picks

Georgia is famous for one fruit in particular.

State fruit: The Peach was chosen in 1995. Georgia is often called the "Peach State."

Ripe peaches.
State prepared food: Grits became the state prepared food in 2002. Grits are a popular dish in the Southern U.S.

A bowl of grits.

Idaho's Root and Berry

Idaho is well-known for one specific vegetable.

State vegetable: The Potato was named the state vegetable in 2002. Idaho potatoes are famous across the country.

A potato and its cross-section.
State fruit: The Huckleberry was chosen in 2000. These berries grow wild in Idaho.

Huckleberries on a plant.

Illinois's Snack and Sweets

Illinois has a few fun official foods.

State snack food: Popcorn became the state snack food in 2004. It's a favorite movie treat!

A bowl of popcorn.
State pie: Pumpkin pie was chosen in 2016. This pie is especially popular around holidays.

A slice of pumpkin pie.

Louisiana's Unique Cuisine

Louisiana celebrates its rich food culture with several official items.

State cuisine: Gumbo was named the state cuisine in 2004. Gumbo is a hearty stew with a mix of meats or seafood and vegetables.

A bowl of Louisiana Gumbo.
State meat pie: The Natchitoches meat pie became official in 2003. It's a savory pastry filled with meat.

Natchitoches meat pies with beans and rice.

Maine's Berry and Sweet Treats

Maine has a special connection to its wild berries and sweets.

State berry: The Wild blueberry was chosen in 1991. Maine is known for its wild blueberries.

Fresh blueberries.
State dessert: Blueberry pie made with wild Maine blueberries became the state dessert in 2011.

A delicious blueberry pie.
State treat: The Whoopie pie was named the state treat in 2011. It's like two soft cookies with a creamy filling.

A whoopie pie.

Maryland's Cake and Crab

Maryland has a unique state dessert and crustacean.

State dessert: The Smith Island Cake was chosen in 2008. It's a tall, multi-layered cake.

A Smith Island Cake.
State crustacean: The Blue crab became official in 1989. Blue crabs are very important to Maryland's seafood industry.

A blue crab.

Massachusetts's Baked Goods

Massachusetts has a love for baked goods.

State cookie: The Chocolate chip cookie was chosen in 1997. This popular cookie was actually invented in Massachusetts!

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
State dessert: Boston cream pie became the state dessert in 1996. It's a cake with a creamy filling and chocolate glaze.

A slice of Boston cream pie.
State doughnut: The Boston cream doughnut was named in 2003. It's a doughnut version of the famous pie.

A Boston cream doughnut.

Minnesota's Grains and Fruits

Minnesota celebrates its natural foods.

State grain: Wild rice was chosen in 1977. Wild rice is native to Minnesota and an important food source.

Wild rice grains.
State fruit: The Honeycrisp apple became the state fruit in 2006. This apple was developed in Minnesota.

A Honeycrisp apple.

Missouri's Sweet Treats

Missouri has a sweet state dessert.

State dessert: The Ice cream cone was chosen in 2008. The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri.

Chocolate ice cream in a cone.

New Mexico's Spicy Staples

New Mexico has some unique and spicy state vegetables and a cookie.

State cookie: The Biscochito was chosen in 1989. It's a traditional crisp butter cookie flavored with anise and cinnamon.

Biscochitos cookies.

New York's Apples and Snacks

New York is famous for a classic fruit.

State fruit: The Apple was named the state fruit in 1976. New York is a big apple-growing state.

A red apple.
State snack: Yogurt became the state snack in 2014. New York is a leading producer of yogurt.

A cup of yogurt with fruit.

North Carolina's Berries and Grapes

North Carolina has several official berries and a unique grape.

State blue berry: The Blueberry was chosen in 2001.

Blueberries.
State red berry: The Strawberry was also chosen in 2001.

Strawberries.
State fruit: The Scuppernong grape became the state fruit in 2001. This is a type of muscadine grape.

Scuppernong grapes.

Ohio's Tomatoes and Native Fruits

Ohio has a common state fruit and a special native one.

State fruit: The Tomato was chosen in 2009.

A tomato.
State native fruit: The Pawpaw was also chosen in 2009. Pawpaws are the largest edible fruit native to North America.

Pawpaw fruit.

Oklahoma's Big Meal

Oklahoma has a very special and extensive "State Meal."

State meal: The Oklahoma state meal was chosen in 1988. It includes many classic dishes like Chicken-fried steak, barbequed pork, fried okra, cornbread, grits, black-eyed peas, strawberries, and pecan pie. This meal shows off many traditional Oklahoma foods.
State fruit: The Strawberry was chosen in 2005.

Strawberries.
State vegetable: Watermelon became the state vegetable in 2007.

A watermelon.

Oregon's Nuts and Fruits

Oregon has a state nut and fruit.

State nut: The Hazelnut (filbert) was chosen in 1989. Oregon is a major hazelnut producer.

Hazelnuts.
State fruit: The Pear became the state fruit in 2005.

Fresh pears.

South Carolina's Snacks and Cuisine

South Carolina has a state fruit and a favorite snack.

State fruit: The Peach was chosen in 1984.

Peaches.
State snack food: Boiled peanuts became the state snack food in 2006. These are a popular snack in the Southern U.S.

Boiled peanuts.
State picnic cuisine: Barbecue was chosen in 2014. South Carolina is known for its different styles of barbecue.

Barbecue pork sandwiches.

South Dakota's Baked Goods

South Dakota has two unique baked goods.

State dessert: Kuchen was chosen in 2000. Kuchen is a German-style cake, often with fruit or custard.

A slice of Kuchen.
State bread: Frybread became the state bread in 2005. Frybread is a traditional Native American bread.

Freshly made frybread.

Tennessee's Tomato

Tennessee has a simple state fruit.

State fruit: The Tomato was chosen in 2003.

A tomato.

Texas's Chili and Peppers

Texas has a famous state dish and several peppers.

State dish: Chili was named the state dish in 1977. Texas chili is usually made without beans.

A bowl of chili.
State fruit: The Texas red grapefruit was chosen in 1993.

A pink grapefruit.
State pepper: The Jalapeño became the state pepper in 1995.

Jalapeño peppers.
State pie: Pecan pie was chosen in 2013. Pecans are very important in Texas.

A slice of pecan pie.

Utah's Unique Snack

Utah has a very interesting "favorite snack."

"a favorite snack food": Jell-O was recognized in 2001 by a Senate resolution. Utah has a high consumption of Jell-O.

Green Jell-O.

Vermont's Maple and Apples

Vermont is known for its maple products and apples.

State flavor: Maple was chosen in 1993. Vermont is famous for its maple syrup.

Maple syrup.
State fruit: The Apple was named the state fruit in 1999.

An apple.
State pie: Apple pie was chosen in 1999. By law, it must be served with a glass of cold milk, a slice of cheddar cheese, or a large scoop of vanilla ice cream!

A homemade apple pie.

Washington's Apples and Onions

Washington is another state famous for its apples.

State fruit: The Apple was chosen in 1989. Washington is a top apple-producing state.

A red apple.
State vegetable: The Walla Walla sweet onion became the state vegetable in 2007. These onions are known for their mild flavor.

Sweet onions.

West Virginia's Apple and Roll

West Virginia has a specific apple and a unique food item.

State fruit: The Golden Delicious apple was chosen in 1995. This apple variety originated in West Virginia.

A Golden Delicious apple.
State Food: The Pepperoni Roll is a popular local food.

Wisconsin's Dairy and Fruit

Wisconsin is famous for one dairy product in particular.

State dairy product: Cheese was chosen in 2017. Wisconsin is known as "America's Dairyland" and produces a lot of cheese.

Various types of cheese.
State fruit: The Cranberry was named the state fruit in 2003. Wisconsin is a leading cranberry producer.

Cranberries growing in a bog.
State pastry: Kringle became the state pastry in 2013. Kringle is a flaky, oval-shaped pastry.

A Kringle pastry.

Images for kids

Almonds
Walnuts
Pistachios
New Mexico green chile
Refried pinto beans
Chicken-fried steak
Barbecued pork
Fried okra
Squash
Cornbread
Grits
Corn
Biscuits and gravy
Black-eyed peas
Strawberries
Pecan pie
Tortilla chips
Salsa

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List of U.S. state foods Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.